A couple of brief comments on Act II of the Sewer/ Water Rate Increase Play that is now on at the Vienna Social Center called the City Council Chambers. Attendance was pretty good last night (Thursday), even though few spoke and they spoke to a mostly deaf City Council/ Staff.


​What is surprising is that the speakers did not seem interested in what is/ has went on to get us here, but to complain about individual water/sewer bills. Accept the absolute need for the Rate Increase just want it smaller. Sad so many are so uninformed and unwilling to learn?


​When it finally got to the Council speaking their minds, what should have been a very, very short comment period by them because of lack of capacity turned in to a rather long session of History for the MOV and Vienna up to and including as one person said to me "the old Bull got worked up tonight"? He was referring to Mr. Rogers who threw a fit when the way the process was going was brought up on the increase? You were not allowed to see it in the Media because Mr. Greenfield packed up his camera at 8:30 and hit the bricks.


​But the most pathetic part was Mr. Leach doing two things:

​1. Calling his wife to the front just before the meeting and having his wife sign up to speak in favor of the increase although she clearly had trouble repeating what it was she was supposed to say? Still she did her part well under the short time frame allowed I believe for preparation and I feel a MOV Mayor's Association Award in store for her fine presentation?


​2. Mr. Leach getting all misty eyed at wanting his children to live in Vienna instead of where ever they are now? Thought he had one piled up here now as a Gentleman Hemp Farmer? He was not happy they were wherever earning their way? It seemed to cause him so much pain that if the increase did not get passed and great things happen here for a lousy $12.00, then we should vote him out of office? Allow me say "Hear, Hear", to him on that. He is such a lousy Council Member with his only interest being the Johns Manville Project that he should just have did Pro Bono work for Mr. Rapp and possibly allow someone to have that seat who may, just may have cared for something here besides his Resume, his kids and his own self interest? In some imagined way that by saddling the people in Vienna with millions in new costs, he can bring his kids home? He is so pathetic as a Politician that he should also be in line for a MOV Mayor's Association Award too. He is a Rappite to the core as sad as you may find it? And, He could just RESIGN?


​But than we get to Mr. Rogers who must have spent 20 minutes going back over his History in the MOV/ Vienna. I could almost hear the caissons rolling by outside as he allegedly talked about being here so long that he was an ammo boy for the original Carlin's Battery D in the day. In Truth, not really that far back, but still think I heard a lot of rumbling and clanking  outside? Maybe, it was just a WWII Tank?


​Someone asked me about 5 minutes into his dialogue if he was making a point? I said "No". And the speech continued for even longer and I was than asked if he was just wasting time to get people to leave? I said "Yes", as one's and two's began walking out of the meeting. And finally, I was asked if he was ever going to make a point? I said "No".  But I must give him full credit as he will give Ms. Leach a run for "Best Supporting Speaker in a Vienna City Council Meeting, be they Public or Private" as defined by the MOV Mayor's Association?  Hers for Brevity; his for longevity, but still both remarkable in their deliveries.


​The dog and pony show went on for quite awhile. Surprisingly Mr. Metz was a no show and not so much of a surprise Mr. Barr missed again. I guess no pay, no play? 


​There were some surprises as Mr. Conley voiced his displeasure at nothing but increases and no cost containments when he should have known they could and would not be part of the issue at that meeting. Than Mr. Elam began to voice his concerns also on the spending. But once again, when they should have been reading the fine print last January/ March, they just watched another bloated and wasteful Budget get approved for the City. This followed by what went on in June for the VUB. While appearing to be watching, that is all they are doing. Too little, too late and the band plays on.


​But than came of all people, Mr. Bibbee, who was again not happy with what was happening and voiced his unhappiness with how it was playing out. This increase was decided AND approved in a Defacto Vote at the VUB meeting the day before. Three of the four votes to pass it were and in agreement even if our Ms. Smith was only there as a "Council Member". 


​But the lies continued also; Mr. Rapp said the VUB passed a Resolution- BULL S***. They at the insistence of Ms. Smith made and passed a "MOTION" approving the initial set of increase numbers. Anyone telling you anything else, I am telling you they are lying through their teeth natural or City paid. The meeting Thursday was a façade, a joke, a scam. No matter how badly the old folks complained about their bills, it was just letting them blow off steam while using them as tools/ props/ scenery for the Play in motion.


​It was called a "Public Forum", but one had to get prior approval as Ms. Metz and Mr. Brookover OR sign up on a roster before the meeting. A Public Forum in a real setting is just that, anyone who wishes to speak can do so by raising their hand during the beginning of the Meeting. This is again, just a slap in the face to the First Amendment by the City of Vienna Progressive Liberal Party controlling Free Speech.


​I will note that the item for the discussion on the Road Bond Initiative was pulled. This was I would suspect that it may not have had the Votes Mr. Rapp wanted so a decision to pull it? Or the fact that P'burg covered it well on "why even on the Agenda"? We have enough City problems that we don't need to be involved in State issues.


​And the Ordinance on Tarot, Palm Reading and Fortune Telling to name a few items came up as the lady from P'burg who said she also did it here and in Williamstown said she had, had to stop when she found out it was illegal here. She as would be expected quoted the First Amendment Right, but I do not know how that could be when the First Amendment does not really exist in Vienna? She must have gotten Democracy/ Republic mixed up with Socialism/ Fascism/ Progressive Liberalism? 'nuff said'.

Question to start the day; anyone see Me. Rapp at the Beer, Burger Bash at the P'burg Country Club shindig Wednesday night? I didn't either. The lack of presence is like a huge Novel in what it probably left unsaid? Yet at the Council Meeting tonight (Thursday), he said he was there? Yet, I did not see anyone get knocked down as he raced to a camera? Did not see the EMT's putting folks on stretchers to take to Hospital? Someone must have tied him to a damn chair?

​
Getting back to the magic numbers that were presented on the number of Employees at the 14 September Council Meeting. For example Mr. Rapp says we have one Sewer Employee serving 667 accounts equals about 8.2 people in the Department. I am using 5500 total which is a bit of a swag? But it may be even fewer as we are supposed to have 5000 residential and 600 businesses in Vienna. But there are a few businesses that are said to not have Sewer in their facilities?


​Doing the same for the Water Department I will use the same 5600 accounts divided by his one employee per 752= 7.4 employees. 


​So with 10 people in varying percentages working for Storm Water, that would come to about 25 people in the three Departments. But this is not correct as there are X number in the VUB headquarters that need be added in somewhere. Again the percentages of employees applies some of them to Storm Water plus even the receptionists at the City Building at as little as 10% Storm Water and X in other areas?


​The City has become good at hiding who is doing what, where they are doing it and when they are doing it if one does not have the whole picture.


​The City can manipulate the numbers anyway they want, but still equals either 27 or 28 Full Time Employees (FTE) in the three VUB areas, now. We need accurate numbers of true employees in full time positions and/ or the way they are percentages across the various departments throughout the City. When there are people being divided up across numerous departments, it does not take long to lose where they are truly counted as FTE versus some here, some there, some who the Hell knows where?


​This of course begins to distort the way the P'burg employees are counted versus Vienna? Do they divide their folks up across departments as is done here or they dedicated less the "headquarters" numbers to a specific area? So the numbers Mr. Rapp put out are suspect without the "Caveats" as I noted?


​Of course a person be it 10% or 100% in Storm Water does not take away from the quality of work the person does; just how one is counted? This holds true with Sewer/ Water also.


​Now, as I post this, I can only believe that the new rates passed 7-0 by the City Council. After all, they would not want to have Vienna "die" for lack of money to do expansion would they?


​I noted earlier that I had thought the City converted about 600 1/2" Water Connectors to 5/8" during the change over to Solar Meters. Well, I was apparently wrong. In a Freedom of Information Act request I did, it was noted that it was "approximately" 2300 from 1/2" to 3/4". Now the 1/2 " monthly charge was I believe $4.39/ month. The 5/8" was $4.59/month. The 3/4" charge is $6.89. An INCREASE of $2.50/ month for those 1/2' Customers. This is $2.50 x 2300= $5,750/month PLUS the 5/8" conversions? So with an extra $69,000/ year minimum. Now this goes back to 2014 when the new Meters were all converted. My meter was converted in January 2015 and was of the very, very last. So we have 2 1/2 years new rates = $69,000 minimum that is about $172,500 in INCOME. RATE INCREASES folks, RATE INCREASE. So where has this money gotten piddled away too? It is an easy answer, the VUB and the City will spend every penny they can get their hands on and in this instance, should have been stashed away to pay the Bond Debt that is now in jeopardy without this huge rate increase in 13 years (see above for a bit of "Truth in Advertising").


​So add that in with the $250,000 that should have been sand bagged when the deferred months of nonpayment were in effect for two (2) years on the Sewer Plant Update and we are bouncing along at about $420,000 in monies that would have stopped what is now happening.


​That bit of Fiscal Responsible behavior would negate my comment on freezing wages for two (2) years, but STILL need to freeze spending unless a piece of equipment is in pieces in the street.


​So I would suggest you think very carefully on what they are saying versus what is happening? And it is going to get worse. 'nuff said'.

Gonna say a big Thank You to the people who pointed out that there was to be a plant expansion into what was said to be Mineral Wells back at the Hino 10th Anniversary shindig back on August 9th and being told it was going to be at the Coldwater Creek Facility a few weeks back. It seems will be Publically announced at a Beer and Burger Bash at the P'burg Country Club this evening at about 7:00 PM ish, (Wednesday).


​I am happy to have been able to begin putting out this bit of good news albeit in bits and pieces as I don't give out names of people who trust me with information and don't want their names to show up anywhere. Sad to live in fear of retribution but it is what it is and some need protection.


​It is hoped that the Plant will begin production at the soonest and allow for a whole lot of local folks to get some good steady jobs with a decent wage This area for sure needs it.


And that sadly is the end of the good news..........................


​At what passed for a very well prepared and presented Vienna Utility Board Meeting Play this morning (Wednesday- 27th), the VUB rolled over and pronounced that the people who live here do so too cheaply and because they the VUB as well as the City Council could not manage the money coming into the VUB, it would be necessary to raise rates to the maximum suggested. This will allow the VUB to continue to fund the payments of bonds that probably should not have been entered into in 2015 when it was noted there was NO money to pay the Bond Payments without going into the Enterprise Reserve funds. This has now resulted in the VUB/ City potentially facing default if they do not get the funds into a liquid position to make the required payments and maintain the necessary reserves. So, look for some nice increases for the next 11,000 years while the City Council sits back and grins at you.


​I will go into more on the dog and pony show later but must note an asinine comment by one of both the VUB and City Council Members who said if we do not raise rates to allow for the City to expand, the City will die.


​Now in spite of, not because of the current VUB Board and City Council the City has been here since 1794 and incorporated in 1934 (1935, my typo). Somehow it has prospered and grown into the tight little City we know today. But suddenly because of a lack of Fiduciary Responsibility and Malfeasance in Office on the part of some, this City is going to die without this rate increase?


​Another thing I will note right now is Mr. Rapp going on about 50 families being moved to the MOV from the D.C. area in the Fiscal Debt Operation. He thinks those families are what we should have move into Vienna. High Income/ High Management type people that are what is good for Vienna. So I would guess that anyone who gets one of those not so high paying jobs and with grease or dirt under their nails at Hino, should look somewhere else to live. Will probably be another LED sign up somewhere soon that " lowlifes need not apply to live here". 


​That seems to fit into what I was told the other day about the intent to turn Vienna into some sort of "elitist" Community where the only folks earning under $60K/ Year will be the servants to the richie rich? Sad folks when those who made this Country are somehow not welcome to live where they might be welcome? But I like you people; have been one of you for decades and can pretty easily separate the snobs from the real folks. And you win hands down.


​There was a big to do also on the Seniors getting that $2.00 reduction in the Police Fee. Now that has been around for decades even if the City chose not to say anything about if for years so people could take advantage of it. I finally took it not because I was 65, but because it had been made very clear to me that I had no Police Protection. My wife is still paying hers, but watch her at 65. Now the way that Mr. Rogers, Mr. Rapp and Ms. Roberts talked today is like see what we are doing to help those old folks? We are (have been), giving them $24.00 back to offset the new and upwardly mobile Water/ Sewer Rates.


​They continue to crow about how cheap our water is and than Ms. Roberts/ Mr. Rapp start in on how because our rates are so low, we cannot easily get loans. Amy, Randi, etal, we DON'T need loans, we need fiscal responsibility and people who represent the City Residents. YOU DON'T and showed it again today with a motion to go for the highest rates noted.


​It should be noted that the first bond on the Sewer Plant update did not have to start paying until it was done. That was about two (2), years ago with the City to pay about $33,000/ quarter beginning about 1 July 2015. Okay, so did the City SAVE the $33K from 2013 until 2015 as hedge/ savings to pay bond debt? NO, it was spent, wasted on other projects, pay raises, benefits, equipment- anything but the damn bonds. That would have been about $250,000 right there to offset the lack of reserve we are dealing with now. Combine that with the below and all of a sudden a "wise VUB/ City Council using "Fiduciary Responsibility" would be so far ahead that maybe, just maybe this increase would have/ be avoided? 


​Nowhere was cost reductions noted and nowhere will they be done. Here is how the City could easily pick up about $200,000.00 in two years. It is called money management and facing the music. FREEZE, yes freeze ALL VUB salaries for two years. NO spending for all the new equipment year after year as is the habit for two (2) years. That would be a very nice start to balancing the bankrupt funds (almost), that have been allowed to happen under the watch of the folks who are not watching.


​Now that is called "tough love" and brings reality home to the VUB employees. Is it a bit tough on those with the least say; absolutely. But they will continue to have good jobs with the current wage levels and no one out the door. 


​I have noted many times the three most important words for equipment of any kind- Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. Having as a Property Book Officer been accountable and responsible for hundreds and hundreds of vehicular type vehicles, it was common to have equipment that lasted 12- 15 years each. Sure, some got dinged up, maybe needed a paint touch up here or there, but the moving parts moved and did so each day to get the job done.


​Image is a sign of narcissism, egotism and plain stupidity. I was always happy with ten workers who looked like they had been pulled through a keyhole and than shoved back riding in trucks/ recovery vehicles, cranes, you name it and I was content with our mission- SUPPORT the folks, not the pride. VUB, you let the City down again.


​And as has been noted, it has been put out that the City Council is to approve the "original" set of increase numbers in one step. The folks who have groveled, begged, crawled for the imaginary Public Forum are just tools/ props in the side show. Mr. Brookover/ Ms. Metz, I have to apologize for what is being done to you by Mr. Rapp. 'nuff said'.

I have waited for two days for a response before even making a posting out of this email from me to both Mr. Spanner- PN&S Publisher and Mr. LaPlann- PN&S Managing Editor on the 24th. 


​The question I asked, was about Ms. Myer giving credit to Mr. Tyson for seeming to use so much of his article from the Welch News on the 19th and also in the PN&S on the 24th?


​Below is the simplest of definitions for Plagiarism  and not the longer form:

PlagiarismThe act of appropriating the literary composition of another author, or excerpts, ideas, or passages therefrom, and passing the material off as one's own creation.


What did I expect from them? There were several paths a response could have  taken that would have fit into their standards. 

​1. Mr. Spanner whom I have dealt with several times is usually very professional, friendly and easy to work with. I may not always like what he says, but he is as I noted.

​2. Mr. LaPlann is another story. Seems arrogant, elitist and stuffy to be kind. He for any of you who may not know is a staunch rappite and one of the major Editors that seem to insure Vienna seems to never have anything but peaches and cream occur in it? A response from him has been like pulling teeth from a Hen over the years.

​Would they circle the wagons and defend Ms. Meyer's actions? Or would they as seems to have been the case try to pretend it never happened? 


YOU read, than you decide:


​From:
​Lawrence Wilson


To

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

 In the John Tyson- The Welch News Article (19 Sept 2017) and in the PN&S, 24 Sept 2017, he wrote:


Bourdain talks McDowell County Experience.


"I would never in my life dare, as a New Yorker, give advice to West Virginians. That what everybody's been doing for 200 years and I don't want to be that guy".

"I say I'm here and that I'm having an amazing time and I get a bunch of idiots from my side of the isle who have just kind of written off the place as a bunch of hillbillies down there. These same jokes you've been putting up with 100 years. That makes me angry".  

"I am comfortable in places that are different, so, I didn't admire the intolerance, the sort of resistance in myself, to this place in my own country. How come I'm so comfortable in Vietnam and Lebanon but instinctively, like so many other New, see West Virginia as a whole other land?"

"genuinely hospitable, warm, straight-talkers with a dry sense of humor".

"They're big city problems too. Anyone who is looking down on West Virginia better check their own community because these problems are in way unique to West Virginia.


In the Ms. Myer- Opinion of the 24th, she wrote:

Bourdain's positive visit.

"I would never in my life dare, as a New Yorker, give advice to West Virginians. That what everybody's been doing for 200 years and I don't want to be that guy".

"I say I'm here and that I'm having an amazing time and I get a bunch of idiots from my side of the isle who have just kind of written off the place as a bunch of hillbillies down there. These same jokes you've been putting up with 100 years. That makes me angry".  

"I am comfortable in places that are different, so, I didn't admire the intolerance, the sort of resistance in myself, to this place in my own country. How come I'm so comfortable in Vietnam and Lebanon but instinctively, like so many other New, see West Virginia as a whole other land?"

"genuinely hospitable, warm, straight-talkers with a dry sense of humor".

"They're big city problems too. Anyone who is looking down on West Virginia better check their own community because these problems are in way unique to West Virginia".

It seems there is a tremendous similarity in both articles; albeit hers is far shorter. About 30- 35% of her article appear to be from Mr. Tyson's article?

Isn't there an obligation to give credit to another writer when one uses their material? I have been led to believe that not doing so constitutes "Plagiarism"? 

Does the Paper have a Policy on this type of thing or is it foot loose and fancy free"?


​This lack of response from the paper's most important Editors/Publisher seems to indicate the "We see nothing, we know nothing, we hear nothing" that is so indicative of many things that happen in our little corner of the World. 'nuff said'.


​

Okay, let's talk some more about the 14 September dog and pony show that took place. Mr. Rapp as noted before said NO increases since 2004; yet I contend that $2.39 increase for a larger connection pipe with no notice was just that- an increase.


​And the never ending story of how cheap Vienna's water is compared to other cities/ PSDs. So what, this sounds just like the asinine statement from P'burg (Columbo), and Vienna (Rapp) that we needed the 1% Sales Tax so we would all be like Williamstown. Lotta stupid people in Wood County. 


​Than we were off to how much it cost for the Rebuilt Sewer Plant with three (3) new lift stations. Took  a bit to get the paperwork on the project and even than it got a bit confused for a little while until I think I got it in order? City likes to now make copies and just throw them together in a pile that can be a bit interesting to know when one point starts and another stops. This is no accident, it is the petty, childish nature of some of these people. Anyone who makes copies and does not insure they are in the correct sequence be it by meeting, month, year or whatever is plain lazy and less than professional- welcome to Vienna.

​Now this deal while started in October 2013, did not create any payments due until 1 September 2015 with a quarterly payment that had to be paid monthly before the 1 Sept 2015 due date. This equaled: $33,666.14. The administration fee of $$837.90/ month and equaling $201,+++. over 30 years. Hell of a cost to post a payment? Nothing seems to say in so many words that I found readily on much the Reserve needs to be to meet bond requirements? In the paperwork for 2013 Bond Purchase and in Mr. Griffiths presentation in August, all it said was "fully funded". I admit I am not very smart, but I could not make a number out of that? 8%/ 12 1/2%, a set number like $212,000.?  In any case, we are paying $1,863,590. for this project.

​Will talk about the Solar Meter Project for 2013/ 2014 that was said to have cost $1,700,000 in cash later.


​Next area he starts to take the Truth and stretch it like a rubber band was the New/ Refurbished Water Tanks all over Vienna. The one that is the most "iffy' was the new 500K gallon one at the end of ninth street. Paid $250K for that one I think but will check it out too. He stated it was built to provide more water to the Commercial District to maintain our ISO rating. This NEVER came up anywhere until the ISO inspection was done and than because the rating went up some and that is commendable, that became the reason for that new tank?


​Well folks, I have said it before and will again to have VUB/ VFD show a document where they knew the ISO inspection was coming anytime in this decade? They got lucky it happened and that it was an improvement I believe from a 3.11 to a 3.62 rating. But once again, one has to watch the misinformation, misdirection, deceit, deception and if an opportunity presents to flat lie?

Than more of the above five (5) steps the City will take to twist the Truth. Those being as said before: misinformation, misdirection, deceit, deception and if the chance permits to lie. This time, Mr. Rapp is trying to say that salaries for the VUB are down from:


​                          $808K- 2015     $800K- 2016    $795K- 2017

​I am going to suspect that a lot of this is because there have been at least one person left the VUB in 2017. And the City supposedly has also dropped from 81- 80 people. But one has to be very, very careful as the City likes to put out numbers such as above and would then hire new people who of course do not show in the numbers yet.


​And another neat trick they have started to do is to "Prorate" the cost of an employee between departments. One person's salary may reflect 10% against Storm Water; 35% in the City Building and so forth. The City is and has been very good at making the numbers match as it wants them too. Does NOT mean that the money as is often the case being wasted.


​Another very, very interesting thing I found going through the Budget Revisions for 2013 was that for the months of Oct, Sept, Nov, the Storm Water fund was in the hole every reconciliation report that I saw. See, City already knew what was coming and decided both the VUB and City would just stare at the Sun and bay at the Moon.


​Than unless I really cannot read, I noted where the Administrative Assistant who was supposedly hired at $27,000/ year showed a salary increase of $39,590 to $59,090/ year. Now the $37,590 could easily be the Salary of $27,000 PLUS the Health Insurance of about $9700/ year and some of the other Bene's each employee in a single category gets. 


​Than the same type of increase for the Human Resource Director who was supposedly hired initially at $27,500 but now an increase from $23,052. up to $36,951. What is also interesting here is her FICA increase from her $13,900 increase at 6.75% should have been: $938.25. Yet, it showed an increase of $1050?


​The Administrative Assistant increase of $19,500 at 6.75% should have been: $1316.25 but only went up $500?


​Both seemed to have gotten pretty healthy increases but don't seem to start out at what hired on for?  Still, those numbers look a bit "iffy", even for Vienna?



                                               TO BE CONTINUED 

I had not said a lot about that City Council Meeting of the 14th of September. Was waiting for a couple of other things to occur so I could move to that point. Well they have and it will show up in the next week or so. You won't hear about as it will be hidden again. But read the Daily Blat carefully for whatever spinned version is put out. But the following did fall out and it does touch more on the VUB meeting of the 6th and the last Council Meeting:


By Rick Uhl
"I personally saw some of the "bullying" actions at the VUB meeting, Sept 6, when it was brought up to look at options besides a one time rate increase, they were shut off. Yes! Just as mentioned, NO Public Forum in City Council Meetings. Lost a right, isn't it illegal for Randy to do that? I also found it interesting, that only ONE VUB Board Member showed up at the City Council Meeting, Sept 14. We're the rest of them still trying to get out of the woodshed for sharing their thoughts"??


​With all due respect, Mr. Uhl is a bit off on who was where? Yes, Mr. Eaton made the scene, but never said a word. Mr. Rogers who allegedly was to be back in town on the 13th was MIA again; as were Mr. Barr and Mr. Thorpe. If you remember, I noted that Mr. Barr has been uncomfortable (My word), with how the Budget Process was going which now could easily incorporate into this now so needed rate increase but not necessary had the Adults been running the playground? At the meeting of the 6th, he was again not at ease with what was going on, but in the end got rolled over. Mr. Thorpe started with a NO and in spite of Mr. Rapp trying to talk him into abstaining, stayed with his no Vote. But still, all missing at a crucial point when they could have interjected a point they were with or against? So may I ask this too? Why the Hell are they even on the VUB is they cannot show for meetings and take an active part in what is going to be stuck to the Users of the Community? The Rubber Stamp that goes on in both the VUB and the City Council is disgusting and unprofessional but sadly not unexpected. The City Council is so useless, that we can expect at best a two tier increase but none the less it will happen. 


​We should just say NO to any increase and let the chips fall where they may. There are people on the VUB and the City Council who need to be removed: Mr. Rapp, Mr. Skogstad, Ms. Smith, Mr. Bibbee, Mr. Leach, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Barr, Mr. Eaton to name just a few who DO NOT represent the Community no matter which grouping they are in? The City/ VUB is in desperate need of people Elected/ Appointed to represent US the Residents rather than just themselves and the City Administration. Folks, we are being sold out and worse to come. Now I am full expecting their defense to be "Well, he just doesn't like us". Sorry Charlie, I don't know them personally and have made little or no effort to do so. I am quite willing to discuss issues with them but as far as helping me mow my yard and a cup of mud, ain't gonna happen.


The Rapp's; Most dangerous people in Vienna today. Have noted it before and can see how as long as they are on the City Council or the Library Board where the people whatever the age are safe from the Progressive Liberal Agenda they pursue.

​Ms. Smith; Almost as dangerous as the Rapp's because she is one of his attack dogs. Have run afoul of her several times and have asked several times, what does she have on him to be getting $3- 5K dollar raises just about every year?


​Mr. Skogstag: While allegedly the "City Attorney" is alleged to be little more than Mr. Rapp's personal defense Atty., in defending him against the very people who are paying both their salaries. Is many times the seemingly 8th Member of Council and 6th Member of the VUB? It is very common for him to interject himself into issues when there is no legal question on the table, just a forwarding of correcting whatever error, Mr. Rapp is pushing?


​Mr. Rogers: Just a wingman for Mr. Rapp to keep the AARP/ Senior Center folks in line and to do whatever is needed to further the Rapp Agenda. I chuckled a couple of years back when a now retired business owner commented in a Council Meeting that he had been on Council for 30 years and has never done anything. I don't know that, only watching them all since 2008?


​Mr. Bibbee" Is as useless as Mr. Rogers; another "YES" Vote pretty much on command. Has surprised me a couple of times, but is a sure thing when raises, benefit increases, whatever is wanted to be purchased gets involved. Hard time remembering there is more to Vienna than the VFD. While it is a necessary and seemingly a good group of VFD Volunteers, it is for sure not everything.


​Mr. Leach" Went down the drain with me when he said the only reason he ran for Council was the Johns Manville Project. So what the Hell is going to do in a few months when it is sold on the upper level to the big developer? 


​Than we have Mr. Eaton: who is the common link between the VUB and the PUB. His vast knowledge of the Utility System(s) does us little good that I can see? His comment if I many paraphrase it  that everything needs to be financed like in the Bond Obligations so missed the point that we should never have gotten there if he and the other VUB was minding the Store.


​Mr. Barr: Has been one of the most and sometimes only one who could smell the coffee and it was burning. Yet, time after time, he just rolls over and votes "yes", which has led us to this point. Does no good to grumble and than do as one is told. Missing the above meeting was a real let down at least to me on his value. 


​He and Mr. Eaton, while both being concerned (?), still voted "Yes", time after time when it was possible that a different approach would have been reached had they attempted to rein in Mr. Rapp in his Spend, Spend, Spend mentality? 


​You will probably have noticed I have said nothing pro/ con on Mr. Conley and Mr. Elam. They are mostly unknown factors so far. I have some ideas and some disappointments, but at least they have questioned and voted a bit more for the folks than the rest. But since are still very naïve on what goes on daily, they should be more cautious of what they ask of Mr. Rapp and most especially the City Staff. They will be told what Mr. Rapp allows to be told to them and it may not be what they should be learning?


​I am not and will not say they are all bad people in their Personal lives; I don't know that and don't want too. My interest starts and stops with how they represent the City in whatever the capacity? In that respect, they have failed us one and all, miserably to one degree or another.


​The warning signs have been out for years in the VUB and the waste of money in the City with nothing or very little back to the People.



​                                                        TO BE CONTINUED 

Finished watching the TV program "Snowfall" a few weeks back and have thought on it from day to day against what I could personally comment on from my life experience. It was and will be back I guess a show on the infiltration of crack cocaine into the L.A 'Hoods. It was to show the connection between the CIA out of Central/ South America moving powdered Coke to the North to get money to buy guns/ ammo/ etc., for the anti-government Contra fighters in Nicaragua versus the Sandinista's controlling the Government.


​The Reagan Administration were ardent foes of the Sandinista's for years. The alleged tie in between the CIA and Contras, was via a LTC North and an Admiral Poindexter who was NSA advisor to the Reagan Administration. LTC North was Deputy Director of the National Security Council for the Reagan Administration. Both lost their jobs because of the Iran-Contra Affair.


​Both fell on their swords to protect Mr. Reagan from any possible connection to the above scandal but have done well in any case since those years.


​Back to the 'hoods, I can not speak to the accuracy of the program in how many of the plot turns went. I have only been to L.A. when forced to land at LAX to change planes and any other chance of being there is lost in the fog of time as a small child of 4 or less.  


​According to the show, it was NOT the L.A. gangs that started the crack epidemic that swept those areas and so many other to this day. It was an entrepreneurial college dropout just out of high school guy who was looking for "his" spot in the game (drugs)? For sure, the gangs were quick to pick up on the bucks in play and in future shows will probably surface to take it over?


​What I did not know and have never read about anywhere else that I can remember is that the process for making the crack cocaine was supposedly developed in Oakland, California gangs? That was very eye opening to me but maybe should not have been since Oakland has been a hot bed of insurrection/ revolution since the middle 1960's that I can remember?


​But the show did present the coming together of the L.A. entrepreneur, the local cocaine traffickers and the CIA operative(s) in L.A. who were said to be working on the issue of money from drugs to buy arms?


​And, I did combine earlier my experience of attempted recruitment as a member of a team to control/ command an infantry battalion of Contras. This plus a novel I read by a reporter who did extensive investigation into the issue plus the show is a pretty good indicator of what did go on to one degree or another? I continue to look back on a lifetime of experiences and wonder how the Hell I am still here today?


​As I have said time after time, is that I regret not going on what would have been my "last campaign" of the times. But I had reached a point where the years of good living such as it was had begun to catch up with me. I could not readily see me going up and down those hills in the jungle, no matter the Country in Central/ South America I would have ended up in It was only at the end of the Program that I found out the team was destined for the Contra's? A close compadre of mine at the time told me I could just stay in base camp. I looked at him and remember asking with a grin "Can you see me sitting around in base camp"? He replied also with a grin "No, you will go out and get your A** killed". But as this posting, I still miss not going as it would have been a challenge/ test to "ME" and what I had trained to do for years.


​The danger still of a Hydrogen Bomb being exploded over the Pacific Ocean seems to be ignoring the potential and probably damage to the denizens of the area it went off over. The radiation would be devastating in the killing of unknowable numbers of fish and other water living animals such as possibly porpoises, whales and so on. It could be the extinction of numerous species that are prevalent in a particular area? And for those just mutated by the exposure, what horrifying things would we find in the water in just a few years?


​The short term issue is the most likely war to start with N. Korea, the U.S., Japan and S. Korea? That will be multi million casualty count I think? But notice in all the foofaraw, no one is yet mentioning the sea life devastation? Many place are far, far more dependent on Fish for food than we in the U.S. Fish is the Beef of Asia for many.


​So, we will continue to wait and see if China really puts the brakes on the Banking System between itself and N. Korea? Or will it be more of the lip service and wink- wink that has gone on for the past 25 years?


​How can China who has clearly been noted is instrumental in the quick development of its Weaponry Systems suddenly turn on a dime? Anyone ever heard of Politics which the Chinese Communists excel at? Plus they are having to face the problem of how many N. Koreans coming over the border in human waves as they flee N. Korea as war goes? I am going to bet a $1.00- 2.98 that it will number in the Millions?


​And now with the N. Korean Foreign Minister saying a "Missile strike on the U.S. is inevitable", that is not an idle statement in a war of words. That is a for damn sure threat. We have no option now under those words. May God protect us in this Country and open wide His Arms for those coming His Way from wherever? 


​As an aside, the talking heads are saying the Social Security increase could be as high as 1.9%. A couple of months back we all in for a 2.6% raise, than it fell to 2.0% and than down to 1.6%. Now from some supposed bump because of Harvey and Irma we may well go to 1.9% How the "experts" get to some of these points is more interesting than the results? 'nuff said'.   

This is a show of absolute childishness to be kind:


In wake of U.N. speech, Kim calls Trump a 'dotard.’ Trump fires back at ‘madman.’

YAHOO NEWS  Gabby Kaufman 2 hours 17 minutes ago (Posted here 10:50 A.M., 22 Sept. 2017).


President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have unleashed personal attacks on one another after the U.S. commander in chief’s speech at the United Nations.


“Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!” Trump wrote Friday morning. (I certainly understand "propaganda", but with so much going on, Mr. Trump might be better off dealing with local problems and let the little maniac bury himself)?


Hours earlier, Kim delivered a barrage of epithets against Trump, calling “mentally deranged” and “a gangster fond of playing with fire,” according to the New York Times.


Kim also branded Trump a “dotard,” defined by Merriam-Webster as a “person in his or her dotage,” with dotage meaning “a state or period of senile decay marked by decline of mental poise and alertness.” (In the day, we use to say an older person was in his "dotage" while trying to be polite as Alzheimer's was not yet known and dementia/ senility were insulting).


The North Korean leader’s statement came after Trump’s fiery speech at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week, when he warned that the U.S. may “have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea.”

“Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime,” Trump said, employing a newly coined moniker for Kim to denounce the country’s nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile programs.


In the past, Trump has praised Kim as a “pretty smart cookie” and said he’d be “honored” to meet with the North Korean leader “under the right circumstances.”


Kim has since launched a series of provocative tests, including one of what Pyongyang claims was a hydrogen bomb capable of hitting the U.S. But experts question whether North Korea’s missiles have accurate guidance systems or the technology to reenter the atmosphere without burning up. ​(Still have to careful he does not set off those two satellites in space and cause that EMP).


He has nothing to lose and everything to gain by setting those bombs off. We will go down like a fat person hitting the couch.


A bit confused while reading the long letter (17 Sept 2017), the Daily Blat put in on the NDO bunch while their talking head went on and on about Fairmont reactivating its Human Rights Commission? Guess it must be because it is a "Cause Celebre" for our very own Ms. Myer? The counter article in the Daily Blat on the 14th only mentioned the reactivation adding of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation to the list of discriminated classes. Most important to me was Fairmont left the Veterans out of the mix. Hopefully, they saw it for what it was; a cheap tawdry trick to drag in folks who had little or no connections?


​I spent years in the Military and while spit on, called baby killer and had real coke and beer bottles thrown at me, I was never "discriminated" against in the contiguous 48. Sometimes I/We got the fisheye in a restaurant/ bar, but got served and service was minimally correct. I was told by a Japanese woman in the Ala Moana Shopping Center in Honolulu in 1970 to go back where I came from as I was not wanted there. Being a "Haole" was not endearing there. And a Japanese SFC asked me and another SP5 to come to his house for dinner. But something did not set right and we kept saying 'NO'. Finally the guy said "you are making a big mistake, I don't invite many Haole's to my home". And no more invites.


And in 1978 in Korea a friend and I were denied service in a Korean Bar because we were GIs and White. But Korea is as Racist as Japan so we knew it would happen sooner or later. My friend finally cajoled a brewski from the barkeep. We drank it, he harassed a Korean woman into a dance and we left. I told him I didn't buy into harassing the woman; he said he wasn't, just being insistent? An interesting choice of words I thought than and still do.


​Saw Mr. Joyce doing the Shoe Leather Taxi this A.M. when I was at the Circuit Court Building. He was going East to somewhere. Not friendly, but not rude either. Far better in either case than would happen on 29th St. "nuff said"

Am still watching this $750K for the P'burg Splash Park. Seems the issue is a "charitable donation" of about $250K that is hanging on the project? Can almost guess the name of the "charitable foundation" prepared to do this? But let us see what all transpires? Council seems all excited at the "free money"? No surprise here, any Governmental Group goes ga ga on getting something supposedly for nothing? The comment that the funds if committed by the City and Mr. Carpenter's comment that the money could be moved elsewhere if a need arose? That is a bit of B.S., if the City accepts a dime as a donation from anyone, anywhere and than does not follow through, it is going to have big problems on keeping the donation and the probability of having to return it? Unless other considerations are extended? Mr. Carpenter is feeding the folks a bit of chlorine filled water. And than Mr. Joyce saying they have three decades to worry about the pending Police/ Fire Pension Fund disaster need just talk to bubba Rapp on what happens when spend, spend and spend some more finally comes due?


​What I am about to say will fall in several categories depending on YOU the reader. Many of you will know this so no big deal. Others will have drank the Kool-Aid and may not be willing to even think about it. And others who have benefited will deny it. That being that Mr. Rapp is a bully.......  That is right, bully.  Watch how Mr. Rapp operates as he attempts to hold his temper if anyone has the audacity to go against what he wants.


​This is what happened to the Public Forum as mostly me, myself and I stood up to the massive spending on Wages, Benefits, Equipment and so on. Could not control me and even when a Department Head threatened me (per my wife's interpretation), to me considering how gutless they are alone but find tremendous courage in numbers, I took it as intimidation. I would not back down on my concerns for Vienna. So to shut down dissent, so went the Public Forum.


This is most obvious of course in the VUB and Council Meetings. He will begin to talk down to whomever he is pushing into line and refuses to readily accept another point of view. Latest being the VUB meeting where he wanted to go for a Rate Increase as a flat one time issue and blaming it on one Mr. Griffith, Atty., who he hired to do the plan for him. So yes, Mr. Griffith did it, but FOR HIM and not just a whim based on time of day or number of cups of coffee that Mr. Griffith may have drank? Some on the Board were asking about a tiered approach? He did not want to go from the single tier raise. He would keep going back to the plan initially presented; did this four times. Finally wore down any differences by saying the tiered raises could be talked about, but got his motion approved with nothing but a single increase. Need to watch how that really plays out.


​Than we progress to the Council Meeting where when reductions in spending popped up, he was not positive in anything but the rate increase(s) for water/ sewer. Will basically not tolerate any other approaches unless HE thinks them up. Watch how this plays out.


​The comment he would send Ms. Roberts back to Mr. Griffith for new numbers sounds good on paper, but what is back channeled for the desired result is what we need worry about. That likely to be a one time rate increase to "assure" State Auditor that problem is solved?


​The sad Truth is that he has run the VUB into the ground; Fiscal Irresponsibility combined with a rate increase for Storm Water which actually is not part of the issue now, but still in a negative it seems since it was first formed years ago. The Street Department has been pumping money into each year in order to keep the damage to a low roar, but still broke.


​Attempts two years ago to rein in the spending and do some cost controls have met with not a penny less and just spend all we want. Well, bill has come due and his response: no one wants a rate increase. True, but not necessary had he done his job or better yet the damn VUB Board done theirs and voted NO. Instead puppies rolling over to get their bellies rubbed.


​To show how much he lied, I was reviewing the First Quarter 2016 Newsletter where he was campaigning while using City Funds for it. Much like he seemed to do with everything that went on that year. In it, he was bragging on how "great the Financial Stability" of the City of Vienna was while the downhill sliding of the VUB Sewer/ Water Funds and the Storm Water Fund. His whole Election effort was based on lying to anyone who would listen to him or read whatever he had put out. The News Letter was itself a violation of Election Law. 'nuff said'.

About a week and a half back, I had a most interesting conversation with a guy name Bill. Not sure how long he had lived in Vienna if ever? But he seemed pretty knowledgeable about what has and was going on here so he at least knew a few folks here? He commented that it had been the intent for some years to "force" out the lower levels of people here and try to turn it into a high falutin place of rich Elitists. Now I know that we have some pretty wealthy people who have chosen to live in Vienna. Could be an ethnic issue versus professions, I don't know?


​In any case, he had an interesting historical perspective of Vienna, that seemed on the surface to have some merit in it? Will I say he is wrong-Can't. Will I say he is right-Can't. But, as in most things, the Truth will out in time as mostly it does?


what has struck me was the recent zoning change on lots for new homes could not be less than an acre. Where are you going to find very many acre size lots in this town? Or is it part of the deals going on with some of the developers who are going to benefit from the new Sewer/ Water upgrades on Rosemar and may well give the City its break out across Rosemar to the East? May well be talking about a sweetheart deal once I find out where a particular new development is going in?


​As a point of clarification on the posting of the 19th:


            (2) "The board of a public service district with at least four thousand five hundred customers and annual combined gross revenue of $3 million or more from its separate or combined services may make, enact and enforce all needful rules in connection with the enactment or amendment of rates, fees and charges of the district. At a minimum, these rules shall provide for":


​I fully understand that Vienna is NOT ​a Public Service District. That is like Boaz or Claywood in that makeup. What I am putting as the point is the "Four Thousand Five Hundred Customers and annual combined gross revenue of $3 Million or more from its separate or combined services" (Sewer/ Water). That is what any Municipality would need to break free from the Public Service Commission as Vienna did.


​And my comment on the "Capital Reserve" fund of 12 1/2% may well be a misnaming of what is the required "Reserve" that must be retained in the Water/ Sewer Funds. The ideas are in fact correct, just the wording may well be somewhat misleading and I know many, far too many do not understand the Reserve Fund for the City- Capital Reserve versus the "Reserve" for the Enterprise Funds used by the Sewer/ Water.


​So again for the Record- Capital Reserve- City; General Fund- City; Enterprise Funds- Water/ Sewer. Reserve Fund- Water/ Sewer. That is about as simple as I can make it.


​In the past 30 days, I have had three (3) different Out Patient Surgeries. In and of themselves, not so much I guess? But still so many so close together, it is very demanding and draining on one's body. Done now and just a matter of healing from the last one Friday. This summer, I have had as many or more than in my entire life. Interesting experiences to say the least.


​Saw an article recently wherein Mr. Gee, WVU President was noting that "WVU and its affiliated Medical Center are West Virginia's largest employer and economic engine, and it collective talent obligates its leadership in advancing the State".  Uh-huh says I, also noting the very Liberal Policies of our Academic Colleges/ Universities. We are for sure in need of some new ideas if this fine State is to move forward. I would be very suspicious of his group to be the one to lead the State? We have both Legislature and Executive Branches that should be doing the "Lead, follow or get the Hell out of the way". Instead it is more like "Block, tackle and stop at all costs" Mentality run amok?


​Someone noted to me the County Commission wants to restore the Courthouse as it once was with a Pyramid like Crown versus the current Bell Tower concept. However, the possible cost of $200K is a bit of a stretch for a County that is so busy crying poor mouth all the time.


​With a self imposed deadline of the first week of October, we should expect another money grab from somewhere to get the remaining funds? Maybe the Tax Assessor will go after the 700 of so non West Virginia vehicles in the County? Gotta be worth easy $50- 100K?


​Mr. Trump nominating one Mr. Baylous to be U.S. Marshall for the Southern District may have some benefit on what is going on here? But I am a bit concerned on the fact that he is one of the "Good ol' boys" club as a State Police? State needs some serious help with what is going on and I can only hope this guy brings some to the table?


​Am backing off the "Let the Truth Begin" series for a day or two as I research info. 'nuff said'.